Welcome to the first official edition of our newly named newsletter ‘College Street News’.
In this edition of ‘College Street News’ you will read about the wonderful day to day learning and teaching programs at the College as well as the various co-curricular events and activities that have taken place throughout this term.
Firstly today, 8 March, we recognise International Women's Day and the theme this year is to Inspire Inclusion.
When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
What does it mean to truly inspire inclusion?
To Inspire Inclusion means to celebrate diversity and empowerment on International Women's Day 2024 and beyond.
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Each year, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and highlights the work that still needs to be done.
This year's campaign theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities. Collectively, let's forge a more inclusive world for women.
It has certainly been a very productive and busy first 6 weeks of Term 1. It has been wonderful to have begun the school year with so many co-curricular and whole school activities taken place.
As we enter into March and the season of Autumn, it is timely to reflect on some of this year’s key events so far:
• 1025 students have been engaged in day-to-day classes and learning
• Opening/Ash Wednesday College Mass
• Student Leadership Investiture Ceremony
• Whole School and Year Level Assemblies
• Various Parent Information Evenings
• Cybersafety Parent Evening
• Dr. Andrew Wake Parent Presentation
• Student Development Days
• Student Leadership Camp
• Social Justice Leaders Development Day
• College Athletics Carnival
• College Swimming Carnival
• Year 10 Premier League
• SACCSS Junior Golf
• Project Compassion and Caritas Fundraising Activities
• Year 9 Program incursions
• Outdoor Education Surfing excursions
• Little Shop of Horrors Musical auditions
• Years 7 Camps will take place from Monday 18 March
All these events and activities take planning and preparation to ensure that they are successful events. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the CRCCS community to thank our staff for their effort. They have been extremely diligent and generous with their own time to enable the many events listed above to take place. Without the support of staff, these activities simply would not take place, so I thank staff most sincerely for their efforts.
Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week which begins on Sunday 10 March, is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, the pivotal role they play within their local community and the strength of the sector.
This year’s theme, ‘In the light of Christ’ is drawn from the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools strategic plan, MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World. Christ is our inspiration, the very life of our purpose as Catholic educators. Everything we do is illuminated by this.
At CRC Caroline Springs, we take seriously our primary purpose of nurturing our students’ faith. Christian teaching is central to our work and the challenge for us is to continually ensure it is included in all we do.
Parents and Friends Association
This year we are looking to further develop our Parents & Friends Association, as we see this as a very important support group for our College. Meetings are open to and attended by interested parents/carers, friends of the College, teachers and administrative staff as well as the Principal, or one of the Deputy Principals.
Everyone is welcome to come and meet other parents/carers, to learn more about our wonderful College as well as participate and share in general discussion often relating to significant issues about school events.
We would like for interested parents to please email the College at principal@crccs.vic.edu.au
St Patrick’s Day
Saturday 17 March is St Patrick’s Day. It is a global celebration of Irish culture and remembers St Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints, who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century.
St Patrick is known and admired all over the world as the young slave who became an unlikely hero, the shy boy transformed into a courageous missionary. Patrick came to an alien land that soon became his adopted home, and a foreign people became his friends. He was no brilliant scholar but a man of deep faith tried and tested in the fires of slavery and exile. At first a reluctant preacher until filled with the strength of the Trinity he overcame his fears and limitations to establish one of the strongest Churches in the Christian world.
Patrick was a towering figure. He had a strong biblical faith centred on the Trinity. He was deeply familiar with the Word of God and pondered it day and night. He lived in intimate union with Christ who was always before, behind, above, within him. Every step he took was in the company of Jesus, every word he spoke was inspired by Jesus, every breath was full of the spirit of Jesus.
The faith of Patrick worked its way into every fibre of life. The true Irish faith of which we can be so proud made our forefathers a people of saints and mystics, of poets and scholars. St Patrick was a great saint. May he be our guide and inspiration.
In this prayer he asks for God’s help in various ways:
| May the Strength of God pilot us. May the Power of God preserve us. Amen |  |
Jamie Madigan
Principal